How to Resurface Tile Countertops

If you are planning a kitchen makeover but don't have the money to install new tiled countertops, try a low-budget approach: Resurface your current tiles to give them a completely fresh appearance. Use paint designed specifically for tiles to create a uniform color or experiment with different patterns. The first part of the process -- giving your tiles a thorough cleaning -- is more mundane.

1

Clear everything off the countertop. Place a small brush attachment on your vacuum cleaner handle and vacuum the entire area to be resurfaced. This removes all loose dirt, crumbs and grime.

2

Fill your vapor steam cleaner with water, if you have one. Attach one of the round scrubbing brushes to it. While the water is heating, clip a microfiber cloth to the floor-cleaning head, as you would to clean the floor. Turn the steam pressure to full. Scrub the grouting first, being sure to remove all grime, and then scrub the entire tile surface to loosen grease and any dirt that has adhered to the tiles. Turn the steam pressure to just under half, remove the scrubbing brush and attach the floor-cleaning head covered with the microfiber cloth. Steam-mop the tiles to remove all loosened dirt and grime. Repeat the steam mopping with a clean microfiber cloth to ensure a totally clean surface.

3

Prepare a solution of warm water and chlorine bleach, if you do not have a steam cleaner. Scrub the grouting between the tiles with a small brush dipped into the solution frequently. Remove all the bleach solution with a cleaning rag dipped in clean warm water, and squeezed out frequently during the process. Clean the tile surfaces with a solution of warm water and household detergent. Repeat the process with clean water to remove all traces of soap, and dry with a soft cloth.

4

Sand the tiles with a moderate-grit sanding block. This scores the surface so the primer will better to adhere it. Vacuum away all sanding dust. Pour some of the primer into a roller tray for a small foam roller, if your tile paint requires primer. Coat the roller, and apply a layer of primer to the tiles. Allow it to dry for the time recommended by the manufacturer. If necessary, repeat the sanding process and apply another coat.

5

Sand the primer and vacuum away the dust once it is completely dry. Pour some of the tile paint into a clean foam roller tray, and coat a foam roller with it. Apply the first coat of paint the same way you applied the primer. Allow it to dry, sand it, vacuum away the dust and apply another coat of paint. If necessary, apply a third coat.

6

Allow the paint to dry completely before applying grout color from a grout pen to the grout lines. Leave the surface to harden for the length of time recommended by the paint's manufacturer.

Things You Will Need

Vacuum cleaner

Steam cleaner

Microfiber cloths

Warm water

Bleach

Household detergent

Scrubbing brush

Cleaning rags

Small foam rollers

Small foam roller trays

Medium sanding block

Fine sanding block

Grout color pen

Tip

Some paints suitable for ceramic tiles are self-priming and contain a chemical resistant to mold and mildew. These paints can either be tinted or used as the base for another color on top.

Warning

Keep the kitchen well ventilated when refinishing your tiled countertop to avoid any buildup of paint fumes.

About the Author

Belfast-based Neil Greenlees was made redundant in March 2009 after working as a reporter for 26 years. For most of his career he was a senior journalist with ''The Ulster Star," a weekly newspaper covering the Lisburn and South Belfast areas. Greenlees holds the National Council for the Training of Journalists Pre-Entry Certificate.

Photo Credits

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